ADVISORY: Fire to Hold Fifth Annual Open Tryouts December 14-15

CHICAGO, Ill. (Dec. 13, 2012) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will hold its Fifth Annual Open Tryouts at the Bridgeview Soccer & Sports Dome on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15. The tryout will be attended by more than 150 male soccer players ages 18 and older who believe they can succeed at the Major League Soccer level. Members of the Fire Technical Staff will be on hand to observe and rank players. The winner of the Open Tryout will be awarded the chance to train with the Fire first team during the club’s preseason camp.

At the Fire’s Third Annual Open Tryout in January 2011, Chicago Fire defender Pari Pantazopoulos emerged from a group of over 200 participants from 19 different countries to win the club’s Open Tryout and a spot on the first team’s preseason roster. The Mt. Prospect, IL product advanced through all three phases of the club’s preseason camp to sign on as a member of the Chicago Fire. Pantazopoulos made his first team debut on June 28, 2011 in a U.S. Open Cup match vs. the Rochester Rhinos and went on to appear in the club’s midseason friendly against English giants Manchester United at Soldier Field on July 23.